For all the talk about Sidney Crosby and Rick Nash chasing that first playoff goal, the most worrisome slump might revolve around the Minnesota Wild’s big names being unable to solve the Chicago Blackhawks. Simply put, Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter have had an awful time against the ‘Hawks in seven playoff games over two postseason series.

The good news is that they still have some time to figure things out, but so far, they seem downright baffled. Sunday’s 4-1 Game 2 loss may represent a new low for the Minnesota trio, too; they failed to score a point and combined for a -8 rating.

Parise, 29, is the only one of the three to even score a point against Chicago over those seven games. He generated an assist in Game 1 and scored one goal in Minnesota’s 4-1 series loss to Chicago in 2013.

In case you’re curious, here’s a breakdown of how all three have fared in the two series against Chicago, with the obvious note being that they have plenty of time to redeem themselves as things shift to Minnesota:

Parise in 2013-14: one assist, -3 rating, nine shots on goal in two games against Chicago; In seven games against Colorado, Parise had a point in every game (three goals, eight assists for 11 points in that series).Parise in 2012-13: one goal, -7 rating, 17 SOG in five games against Chicago.

Koivu in 2013-14: zero points, -3 rating, five SOG; Koivu had six points (one goal, five assists) against Colorado.Koivu in 2012-13: zero points, -6 rating, 11 SOG in five GP

Suter in 2013-14: zero points, -5 rating, four SOG … 27:25 TOI in Game 2 and only 25:22 TOI in Game 1; Suter had four points in Minnesota’s series against Colorado and generally logged his usual heavy minutesSuter in 2012-13: zero points, -5 rating, five SOG in five GP

***

It’s really important to note that these lousy-looking numbers came in a very small sample size with five against the Presidents’ Trophy and Stanley Cup-winning team from last season and two against a championship contender this season. If anything, Chicago deserves as much credit as Minnesota’s biggest names inspire concern.

Still, with all of those caveats aside, it’s clear that things aren’t going well for Minnesota’s leaders (especially Koivu and Suter, as Parise’s shot totals at least imply that he could be more productive with better bounces).

The question is: what needs to be done to get them back on track? Will a change of scenery do the trick? Should head coach Mike Yeo consider shifting lines to try to avoid the likes of Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa or is it just a matter of the Wild’s big names digging deep?

That’s up to debate, but if Minnesota doesn’t find an answer soon, it could be another short series.

class of the league by no small measure, the targeting of toews and kane by blues and others mid-season onward a memory, hawks are showing why from top to bottom the cup is heading back to chicago

kane has adjusted to the brace, and with game hardening is back to his wizardry … ditto toews, back from the gooning from orpik and reaves, he’s only going to get better … if hossa and sharp continue to find themselves, say bye bye …

bye bye

bad news for plod hockey coming out of the east, these guys are scary good, and scary good with that kind of world-class coaching, hoooooo dogey … smokin’

any of montréal, new york and pittsburgh would make for some fast hockey, but play chicago fast you’ll need lights-out goaltending leaving only rangers in with a prayer

bruins …? lmao

joey4id - May 4, 2014 at 10:54 PM

Yes siree.

joey4id – May 1, 2014 at 10:42 PM
Wild will be no match. Hawks have gamers to out the puck in the net, experience, defense and goaltending.

Bottom line is the Hawks top 6 is outplaying the Wild’s top 6. If they don’t step it up it will be over in 4. Bryz is not going to steal any games, especially with the way the Hawks are getting bodies in front of the net.

Thus far, the biggest mismatch is Bickell vs Wild. They have no answer.

clarke16 - May 5, 2014 at 1:17 AM

Unfortunately–I have to agree. The way the Wild D is just caught flat footed time and time again in front of their own net is discouraging. They need to start taking people down in the slot or they have no hope…

Wild truely have improved since last year, and if they had Josh Harding healthy, could have been a challenge. But now they have to win 4 of 5 with Bryz in net yet. While you may good some good odds, I wuold not bet on the Wild.

No trash talk/disrespect intended. But against a healthy Hawks team with Corey C playing well (.936 save %), I don’t see an upset happening.

Poor LAKings. If they get past the Ducks, they’ll have to face a healthy Hawks team.

poor LAKings? are you serious? they just won four straight and a road game in Ahaheim…poor? hardly…and guess your Hawks don’t like getting hit…and boy oh boy LA hits….and have a goalie named Quick…

wjarvis - May 5, 2014 at 5:11 AM

Agree with the part about not feeling one bit sorry for the Kings. However, the Hawks took the playoff series in 5 games last year, plus have beat them 3 out 3 games in regulation this year, and 2 out 3 games in regulation last year, so I don’t think the Hawks are too worried that they might have to play the Kings, if they move on. Haven’t you figured it out yet, every team hits the Hawks, that’s what teams without the puck do.

I have to laugh at that comment…on several levels.
First of all, I am probably one of the few left that actually respects MATT Cooke (not sure who Mat Cooke is…but he’s not the Wild’s answer either). That said, he can’t ‘take out’ enough Hawks to let the Wild win. Bicks is no pushover, having more hits than all but a handful of other players in these playoffs.
But my main point is that taking out a Hawk will undoubtedly remove Cooke for the series, maybe his career. It isn’t worth it, especially when there are half a dozen Black Aces just waiting for a chance to prove themselves for the Blackhawks. Our healthy scratches are better than most team’s bottom 6, better than some ‘top 6′ players!

doc’s “peeing his pants” like the rest of them…I’M GETTING SICK of hearing about Toews, Kane and Hossa…they’re overrated….and won’t win the cup…Crawford isn’t that good…

gret9 - May 5, 2014 at 9:38 AM

Okay, I’m a Blackhawks fan and I agreed with many of your comments above. No team is ever in trouble until they lose on home ice, which the Wild have not done yet in this series. So I respectfully request all the Chicago fans chalking a series victory already to settle down a bit.

But to say the some of the core players from the team that has won 2 of the last 4 Stanley Cups are overrated is just a silly comment imho.

atodaso - May 5, 2014 at 1:40 PM

Do you mean “won’t win the cup again”?

Just checking

slysipops - May 5, 2014 at 7:12 PM

yeah , those guys have their off moments too….but your comment sounds like the little kid who throws a tantrum ,and takes his bat and ball and goes home !

purpleguy - May 5, 2014 at 10:16 AM

Even during the times the Wild were dominating play, and there have been those times in both games, it still felt like the Hawks were going to win. The Hawks defenders are markedly better than the Avs, but I’ve been more impressed with the Toews line shutting down Parise’s line. This series just feels weird — like the Wild used up all their mojo against the Avs.

blues fan here if you watch hockey the hawks are the best team hands down in the nhl, but you still have to win the games. the catch there is this team has done it twice recently, so it knows haw to batten down the hatches. oh and the goalie he has been through it also

slysipops - May 5, 2014 at 7:26 PM

HAWKS fan here…… the wild have certainly had some unlucky moments against chicago, missed shots,post hits, etc.! but some times the power teams just have it all on their side. it was like this last season somewhat for the HAWKS ,and definately a lot of lucky breaks in 2010. but is it luck or unseen pressure put on the opponents? the HAWKS haven’t looked that domineering against the WILD , but they’ve won twice at home. will the WILD fans get them up to another level in MINNESOTA? maybe …maybe not! i was glad to see BOLIG go after STONER in game 1 and kind of settle him down.we don’t need any more injuries popping up . GO HAWKS GO !